In a bold and unprecedented move, federal workers under the aegis of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, ignited from Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, over the non-payment of five months’ wage award arrears by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protest, which erupted on Tuesday, saw a massive turnout of disgruntled civil servants at the federal secretariat in Ibadan. Hundreds of workers, clad in black and wielding placards, decried what they called the government’s “blatant disregard and deafening silence” over their lingering economic hardship.
Speaking during the demonstration, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, National Coordinator of the FWF, and Comrade Itoro Obong, Secretary General, lashed out at the Tinubu-led government for failing to act on a 21-day ultimatum issued by the workers—a deadline that expired without a single word from the authorities.
> “As earlier agreed, we the federal workers in Nigeria commence an indefinite protest nationwide today, 22nd April 2025, to press home our demands for justice,” the leaders declared, according to Daily Post.
Despite a heavy deployment of security operatives around the protest zones, the atmosphere remained peaceful and orderly. Workers across the country reportedly joined the action, shutting down activities at federal secretariats in solidarity.
At the heart of the agitation are three core demands:
Immediate payment of five months’ wage award arrears.
Full implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance and payment of its arrears.
Urgent review of excessive taxation on already meagre federal wages.
In a scathing critique of the government’s policies, the FWF leadership accused President Tinubu of fostering economic suffering and systematically undermining the welfare of Nigerian workers.
> “All that has come from Mr. President has been a bad example—anti-workers, and horrifyingly promoting hardship among federal government employees,” the Forum lamented.
The FWF issued a clarion call for a radical shift in policy direction, emphasizing that the strike will not be called off until their demands are met in full.
> “This is not just a protest—it’s a resistance against economic injustice and systemic abandonment,” Comrade Emelieze stated.
As the strike gathers momentum, Nigerians are bracing for the potential fallout, with critical services likely to grind to a halt across ministries and federal agencies.
PIONEER NEWS 